Our Rich History of Philanthropy

Formerly known as the Association of Baltimore Area Grantmakers, MPN was founded in 1983 to provide a forum in which philanthropic colleagues could address common problems and interests together.

Mike Hankin filed Articles of Incorporation for the then Association of Baltimore Area Grantmakers. Seven foundations gave start-up grants totaling $47,500 for joint staffing and housing of programs at 5 E. Hamilton Street.

Founding Members

• Baltimore Community Foundation
• Goldseker Foundation
• Hoffberger Family Philanthropies
• Marion I. & Henry J. Knott Foundation
• Zanvyl and Isabelle Krieger Fund
• Joseph and Harvey Meyerhoff Family Charitable Funds
• Aaron Straus and Lillie Straus Foundation
• Lewis Baer Foundation
• William G. Baker, Jr. Memorial Fund
• Hecht-Levi Foundation
• Morton & Sophia Macht Foundation

• Peggy Meyerhoff Pearlstone Foundation

   

Board President: Sheldon Goldseker (1983-1985)

With the goal of collaborative funding, our "Profiles and Collaborative Funding Committee" including 13 of 17 members contributed $320,000 to match $160,000 for the National Endowment for the Arts Expansion Arts Program / Baltimore Community Foundation Developing Arts Fund.

Board President: Sheldon Goldseker (1983-1985)

We published Summer Study: Public / Private Partnerships and hosted our first session with over 200 nonprofit organizations in attendance.

Board President: Sheldon Goldseker (1983-1985), Jan Rivitz (1985-1990)

With 38 members, Betsy Nelson was hired to work 10 hours a week coordinating training sessions.

Member Milestone: Goldseker Foundation releases Baltimore 2000, celebrates 10th year.

Board President: Jan Rivitz (1985-1990)

Measurable Growth Committee formed and commissioned study by Les Salamon, Institute for Policy Studies.

Board President: Jan Rivitz (1985-1990)

The organizations first strategic plan was created with consultant Mary DeKuyper resulting in the decision to stop contractual relationship with Baltimore Community Foundation at end of 1989 and hire own staff. Betsy Nelson now working 15 hours a week.

Board President: Jan Rivitz (1985-1990)

Moved to 2 E. Read Street - 9th floor in October and began to sublease two offices from the Baltimore Community Foundation. Published first Survey of Capital / Endowment Campaigns Report and the More Than Just Charity: the Baltimore Area's Nonprofit Sector in a Time of Change was released which ABAG coordinated the funding.

Board President: Jan Rivitz (1985-1990)

Betsy Nelson was appointed Executive Director and Frances Morris was hired. The organization completed its second strategic plan with support from consultant Mary DeKuyper.

Board President: Jan Rivitz (1985-1990), Sita Culman (1990-1994)

The first Member Directory was created with active 50 members and the organization sponsored a Resource Fair for Nonprofits.

Board President: Sita Culman (1990-1994)

An Ad hoc Diversity Committee was formed, and a reserve fund policy was adopted.

Partner Milestone: Maryland Nonprofits launched.

Board President: Sita Culman (1990-1994)

"10 Years of Paving the Way for Philanthropy" commemorative bricks installed in Fells Point and the Neighborhood Funders Affinity Group was started.

Board President: Sita Culman (1990-1994)

The organization completed its third strategic plan with support from consultant Judy Healey, instituted board term limits, and adopted a Diversity and Inclusiveness Policy. Kimberly Mackin was hired as Special Projects Coordinator.

Member Milestone: Annie E. Casey Foundation moves to Baltimore.

Board President: Sita Culman (1990-1994), Margaret Mauro (1994-1996)

A quasi-endowment was established to support the organization. Member groups are forming including the Baltimore Neighborhood Collaborative, Religious Funders Group, and some of the first programs for Family and Corporate Foundations are held.

Board President: Margaret Mauro (1994-1996)

The offices relocated to the 8th floor of 2 E. Read Street, making this the organization’s first lease. Cathy Brill was hired as a consultant to coordinate the Maryland Service Funding Collaborative and other projects.

Board President: Diana Morris (1996-2000)

Accountability Committee meets and receives grant from the Forum of Regional Association of Grantmakers’ to develop Guiding Principles.
Amy Shutt becomes Communications Associate and Kristen Engnell Bibo is hired as Member Services Director.

Board President: J. Michael Riley (2005-2006)

Guiding Principles and Implementation Options are approved and rolled out to the membership. James Macgill is hired as Coordinator of Affinity Group on Aging and Ellen Janes and Sally Scott work as consultants for the Baltimore Neighborhood Collaborative.

Board President: J. Michael Riley (2005-2006)

Convened an Anne Arundel Funders Roundtable and a Violence Prevention Working Group, in addition to holding the first Annual Giving Circle Connector Workshop. The Family Funders Network project is launched. Kim Snipes is hired as Member Information and Operations Manager, Karen Alexander is hired as Education Funders Coordinator, and Elisabeth Hyleck is hired as Special Initiatives Director with funding from the Annie E. Casey Foundation.

Board President: Penny Anderson (2007-2008)

The organization celebrated its 25th anniversary by highlighting philanthropy’s impact on our community with the Snapshots of Philanthropy series. In the turmoil of the great recession, the organization focuses on helping members understand the implications. The Disaster Preparedness Task Force convened. Collaborated with Boston grantmakers on an Urban Education Study Tour in Pittsburgh.

Board President: Penny Anderson (2007-2008), Lynn Homeier Rauch (2008-2009)

The organization devotes time to understanding the American Rescue and Recovery Act (ARRA), collaborating with Baltimore City on ARRA Funding, and economic recovery of the nonprofit sector. Publishes guide to funding basic needs and Basic Human Needs Affinity Group begins. First meeting of the re-formed ABAG’s Diversity and Inclusiveness Task Force. Adam Donaldson is hired as Member Services Director.

Board President: Lynn Homeier Rauch (2008-2009)

The organization launches its first annual program impact survey and completes its 5th Strategic Plan which includes a new Board approved the definition of "diversity" and core operating value of "inclusive and respectful".

Diversity – We are committed to supporting a funding community that encompasses differences in the attributes of both individuals (such as race, ethnicity, age, socio-economic status, gender, physical ability, sexual orientation, and religion) and organizations (foundations and giving programs of differing sizes, missions, geographic locations, and approaches to grantmaking).

Inclusive and Respectful – We value the perspectives and contributions of all people, and incorporate the viewpoints of diverse communities in our work.

Board President: Robert L. Waldman (2010-2011)

The Board approved a Diversity and Inclusiveness Policy and formed the Diversity and Inclusiveness Committee. The organization launched Salesforce as our CRM. Baltimore Integration Partnership begins with funding from Living Cities. Rebecca Ruggles is hired as Coordinator of Green Funders Affinity Group, Linda Dworak is hired as Director of the Baltimore Workforce Funders Collaborative, and Kurt Sommer is hired as Director of the Baltimore Integration Partnership.
 

Board President: Robert L. Waldman (2010-2011)

Betsy Nelson retires, Celeste Amato becomes the president in December 2012, Betsy Nelson Legacy Fund is established. The Resource Development Task Force launches while the MD Environmental Health Network begins convening around advancing environmental health protections in Maryland.

Board President: Beth Harber (2012-2013)

The organization holds its first full-day Board and staff training with ABFE focused on how race matters. Partnered with Stoop Storytelling for the first Betsy Nelson Legacy Fund (BNLF) activity, The Giving Life: Stories about the purpose, passion, and power of generosity and service. MD Environmental Health Network publishes "Maryland Children’s Environmental Health Progress Report". Elyse Robinson is hired as Office Administrator.

Board President: Beth Harber (2012-2013)

Maryland Community Foundation Association successfully lobbies for legislation enabling the Endow Maryland Tax Credit program. The Baltimore Neighborhood Collaborative closes and the Neighborhood and Community Development Affinity Group is formed. "Energy & Health in Maryland: A Briefing for Health Advocates" is published by the Maryland Environmental Health Network.
 

Board President: Laurie Latuda Kinkel (2014-2015)

The organization completed its 6th strategic plan and states it will promote racial equity and inclusion in member grantmaking practice. Jonalyn Denlinger is hired as the Member Services Director and Shannan Coleman Siciliano is hired as the Education Funders Coordinator.
 

Board President: Laurie Latuda Kinkel (2014-2015), Cathy Brill (2015-2016)

The board approves a new Diverse Vendor Policy and revised the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Policy and subsequently renamed the committee to the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Committee.
 

Board President: Cathy Brill (2015-2016), Timothy ‘Tim’ O’Neill (2016-2018)

The organization joins the United Philanthropy Forum’s Knowledge management Collaborative and launches a new website with a new URL. The Growth and Review Task Force meets. This year’s program offerings included a series on philanthropy and race equity as well as an Undo Nonprofit Power Dynamics Day Happy Hour.
 

Board President: Timothy ‘Tim’ O’Neill (2016-2018)

The organization held its first of four Undoing Racism Workshops and partnered with Baltimore City Health Department to develop a comprehensive system of services for older adults. The Health and Behavioral Health Affinity Groups merge to reflect merger of somatic and behavioral health at a public systems level. Hosted a book discussion with author Kevin Shird and eighty-four-year-old Nelson Malden for a Civil Rights Movement, Diversity, Equality and Inclusion discussion along with a book signing for The Colored Waiting Room. Yinka Bode-George is hired as Environmental Health Manager, Vic Valentine is hired as Director of Engagement and Policy, and Nan Rohrer is hired to staff the School Centered Neighborhood Investment Initiative.

Board President: Timothy ‘Tim’ O’Neill (2016-2018), Tracey Barbour-Gillett (2018-2020)

The Association of Baltimore Area Grantmakers becomes Maryland Philanthropy Network. New brand and logo revealed at Annual Meeting. The 2020 Fund to Advance Impact was launched. The Basic Human Needs Affinity Group shifts to become Funders Together to End Homelessness - Baltimore. Charlotte Haase was hired as Communication and Data Manager; Joyce Bartlett was hired as Member Engagement and Services Manager; and Liz Briscoe was hired as Coordinator of Affinity Group on Aging and Health Funders Affinity Group.

Board President: Tracey Barbour-Gillett (2018-2020)

Right before the COVID-19 pandemic and remote working begins, the organization moves to 1600 E. 41st Street thanks to the $630,662 raised for the 2020 Fund to Advance Impact. Convening opportunities increase to support a coordinated response to the global pandemic and the organization its fiscal hosting portfolio to 15 projects. The organization serves on the 2020 Census Complete Count Committee and is fiscal host for the 2020 Baltimore City Community Census Grant program; Prenatal to Five Impact Collaborative (now called the Prenatal to Five Affinity Group) begins. LieChelle Hernandez is hired as Program and Research Associate - Baltimore Corps Fellow, Melissa Rock serves as Prenatal to Five Affinity Group Facilitator, and Celeste Amato resigns in December with Elisabeth Hyleck becoming Acting President.

Board President: Tracey Barbour-Gillett (2018-2020), Carmel Roques (2020-2021)

Maggie Gunther Osborn becomes President & CEO in April. The organization signs the Disability Inclusion Pledge, and the Rising Leaders Roundtable shifts to become the Emergent Philanthropy Roundtable. Shanetta Martin hired as Ed Funders Coordinator, and Tara Huffman hired as Fiscal Portfolio Manager.

Member Milestone: After four years as top program attendee, Lara Hall is unseated by Joe Manko.

Board President: Carmel Roques (2020-2021), David Daniels (2021-2023)

The organization co-hosts five Morehead-Cain Scholars with the Middendorf Foundation who produce the report, "Like Learning A Language: Bringing the Voices Behind Baltimore’s Permitting and Grantmaking Systems into Conversation". The Baltimore Workforce Funders Collaborative release a new Strategic Plan with support from Wayfinding Partners. Shanetta Martin becomes Director of Public Policy, Education, and Special Projects, Rahmirah Gardner is hired as Member Services Manager, Marlo Nash is hired as Prenatal to Five Affinity Group Facilitator, Megan McSwain is hired as Program Associate - Baltimore Corps Fellow, Rachel Moler is hired as Fiscal Portfolio Manager, and Kevin McHugh begins serving as Interim President in October.
 

Board President: David Daniels (2021-2023)

The organization celebrates its 40th Anniversary and completes its 7th strategic plan set up as a new Strategic Framework. Kathy Shulman was hired as the Funders Together to End Homelessness Baltimore Facilitator and the organization recently announced its next President and CEO will be Danista E. Hunte.

Member Milestone: Open Society Institute - Baltimore announces closure at the end of the year

Board President: David Daniels (2021-2023)

With a new CEO and Strategic Frame, the organization focused on strengthening internal operations and infrastructure. The Baltimore Workforce Funders Collaborative secured major support to advance Baltimore’s workforce and social impact efforts, including launching the Baltimore Climate and Infrastructure Hub, and leading an initiative to improve equity and job quality in the childcare sector. Through facilitated conversations, MPN worked with colleagues from Virginia Funders Network and Philanthropy DMV about broader regional partnerships.

Jess Vess was hired as Managing Director of Finance and Administration, Jessye Grieve-Carlson was hired as Program and Data Associate, and Elaine Carroll joins the Baltimore Workforce Funders Collaborative as Program Manager.

Board President: Kevin McHugh (2024-2025)

MPN advances a year of “courageous philanthropy” by frequently convening members and partners to address shifting federal policies and engaging organizational leadership in a business model process. The Annual Member Gathering is held in Columbia, MD. Collaborative initiatives are launched and expanded, including the Baltimore Energy and Infrastructure Workforce Coalition, and efforts to strengthen early childhood systems. Funders Together to End Homelessness evolves into the statewide Housing Funders Affinity Group.

Board President: Kevin McHugh (2024-2025)

MPN hosts its largest annual Maryland Aging Innovations Summit at Coppin State University in April 2026. MPN also launches its new website! 

Member Milestone: The Aaron and Lillie Straus Foundation celebrates their 100th Anniversary

Board President: Talib Horne (2026-present)